Rotary can end marker



Feb. 2, 1954 LAXO ROTARY CAN END MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheet i Filed Oct. 18, 1948 INVENTOR. [a [4x0 Feb. 2, 1954 xo- 2,667,830

ROTARY CAN END MARKER Filed Oct. 18, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. [a [4x0 ATTOP/VIK! Feb. 2, 1954 Filed Oct. 18, 1948 E. LAXO ROTARY CAN END MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheet '3 INVENTOR. in [4/0 ITTOI/Vifi Feb. 2, 1954 E. LAXO ROTARY CAN END MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheei 4 Filed Oct. l8 1948 INVENTOR. ZZZ/9x0 Patented Feb. 2, 1954 ROTARY CAN END MARKER Ed Laxo, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine 00., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application October 18, 1948, Serial No. 55,129

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a can end marker for stamping indicia upon the ends of cans.

It is a common cannery practice to feed can bodies and can ends to a double seamer for joining the ends to the bodies, and along with such operation to mark the can ends with indicia indicating, for example, the date of canning, the type of product canned, etc. Double seamer employed for this purpose operate at a very high speed, and it is essential that the can ends be fed thereto at high speed. It is therefore important to provide an end marker capable of marking can ends at high speed, and in exact synchronization with the operation of a can end feed and a double seamer.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved form of end marker for can ends.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an end marker for can ends which is capable of operation at high speeds.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an end marker for can ends which is readily adjustable to adapt it to can ends of varying thickness.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the end marking mechanism showing it in conjunction with a can end feed and a can body feed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections taken along the lines 3--3 and 5-5, respectively, of Fig. 2, showing the manner in which the end marker countershaft is secured to the drive mechanism.

, Fig. 5 is a plan view similar to that of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale and showing only the end marker.

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 8- 6 of Fig. 5, showing a release and adjustment mechamsm.

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line of Fig. 8, showing the means for pivoting the end marker and for aligning it in operative and inoperative positions.

Fig. 8 is a section takenalong the line 8--8 of Fig. 2, showing the end marker in end elevation and with the dies in one position.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. showing the dies in another position.

a, but

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line ||l-|0 of Fig. 2, showing the driving connection between the upper and lower marker heads.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section through one of the die magazines, showing the manner in which the dies are secured thereto.

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line |2--|2 of Fig. 8, showing the means of locking the die magazines in predetermined rotary position.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown an end marker l0 associated with a can end feed and a can body feed I2. Can ends l3 are fed by a turret M from the end feed to a marking station designated as A (see Fig. 2), where they are marked by the end marker; thence by means of a turret l5 in alignment with can bodies Hi to a double seamer (not shown) of any suitable construction, but preferably of the type described in my copending application Ser. No. 55,130, filed October 18, 1948, entitled Double seamer, now U. S. Patent No. 2,540,001.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a main drive shaft I1 is provided having secured thereto a gear l8 for driving the end feed by means (not shown) such as described and illustrated in my copending application Ser. No. 55.128, filed October 18, 1948, entitled Can End Feed Mechanism, now abandoned. The drive shaft I1 is secured at its upper end to the turret M, causing rotation of the turret. A gear train consisting of a gear 25 secured to the drive shaft l1 and the gears 26, 21, 28 and 29 are disposed in a gear case 30 and drive a countershaft 3| which in turn drives a bevel gear 32. The driving connection between the gear 29 and shaft 3| is formed as follows, reference being had to Figs. 3 and 4 in addition to Fig. 2: As shown, the gear 23 is integral with a hub 33 which is keyed to a collar 34 by means of set screws 35. The collar 34 is keyed to the shaft 3| by a key 36 and, as will be seen, the collar 34 is split and is provided with screws 31 for clamping the shaft 3| and collar 34 in adjusted position. This manner of interconnecting the gear 29 and the countershaft 3| permits rotation of the shaft 3| relatively to the gear 29, and therefore the main drive shaft l1, merely by loosening the clamping screws 31, tightening one of the set screws 35 and loosening the other and then tightening the clamping screws 31. The purpose of such adjustablefeatures is to time the end marking mechanism with the end feed mechanism as is more fully explained hereinafter.

Upper and lower marker heads 45 and 46 are mounted on a marker frame 41, the lower head 55 clamped to the frame 9 by means of a clamping ring 56 and screws 51. The flange 55, as shown in Fig. 7, has two V-shaped recesses 58 formed therein approximately .90" apart, anda key or latch member 59 is provided, being slidably disposed in a boss 63 and urged inwardly by a coil spring 6| into engagement with one or the.

other of the recesses 58. A'cap'fi'2 securedto the boss by set screw 63 is also provided.

It will thus be seen that the end marker may be rotatedso .as to be out of the way ofthe-rest of the machine whenever. such is necessary for inspection or repair It will also be noted, that by means of th'ekey '59 and slots '58, themarker, whenever returned to operativeposition, is always precisely aligned with the end feed turret I4.

Each of the marker heads comprises a crankshaft 64 rotatable in a sleeve 6?. The lower crankshaftfi i is driven by the bevel gear 32 and a bevel gear 68. The upper crankshaft 64 is driven by a gear train consisting of bevelgears 32 and 68, gear I5, idler gearsJB and]? (see Fig. 10), secured to eccentric shafts I8 and I9, having squared ends Bflyand afgear BI. Thegear 'BI is drivingly connected to the upper crankshaft 64 by means of a split hub 82 keyed to the shaft 64 .by set screws 83, which are clamped inadjusted position by means .of a clamping screw I8 1. It will thus beapparent'thatby looseningthe clamping screw 84 and loosening one of-the set screws 83 while tightening the other, the upper crankshaft 64 may be rotated relatively to the lower crankshaft 65, and when adjusted to .the

desired position may be clamped therein by means of the clamping screw 84. Thus, provision is made for adiusting'on'e'of the upper marker-heads t5 relatively to thelower markerhead 46. so as to synchronize the two accurately.

A die magazine 90 isprovided for each marker head, such magazine being rotatable on a stub shaft 9! integral withiacrank '92 secured tothe crankshaft 64,..the die magazineb'eing clamped in place by m ans of'a clamping plate 93 .and screw 94. Each die magazine 90 isprovided with a lever arm 95 integral therewith and pivotally connected at 96 toone end'offalink 97, the other end of which is ,pivotally rand e'ccentricallylconnected to an eccentric 12111.98 '(see'Fig. 5') having a squared end I'GB 'byzwhich it maybeadjusted, said pin being carried by 'ajbracket IIlI.

As shown in Figsjsand .11, each 'die magazine 95 is also provided with 'threeradial recesses H0, spaced 1209, apart and in which dies I [I .are seated, 'Each recess III) is provided with steel balls H2 and coil springs H3 .as shown to .provide-a snap type seat forthedie. The dies --I II are of conventional construction andrequire no further elaboration'here except to note that, of course, the dies in one "of the marker heads Will be male dies whereas 'tho'se in the other '.'head will be female dies. It'will also be noted that thedie magazine is provided with threenotches H4, also spaced 120 apart, and with a tapered, knurled knob I [5, such knob-being rotatable and on an eccentric shaft IIB. It is thus apparent that, when it is desired to use one of the dies III and its corresponding die on the other head, the knob H5 will be rotated so as to unlatch the die magazine, the latter will be rotated on the stub shaft 9| until the selected notch II/l is brought into alignment with the knob I I 5, and then-the": knob: I will beh'otated until it firmly seated in the notch so as to l'ock the diemagazine in adjusted position.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the above mentioned release mechanism 50 is shown as comprising a hollow screw I20 having a fiat head I2I and in threadedengagementat I22 with the end marker frame. -A-rod +2315 received within the screw 1-2Iland' within sa recess I24 formed in the upper marker 45, thelower end of the rod being in threaded engagement at I26 with the marker frame and being clamped in place by means of a set screw I21. A coil spring I28 is provided, which encircles .the rod .I23' and is compressed and adjusted by means of nuts [29.

.It will 'be apparent that, in the event -of jamming of one or more can ends between the marking dies -III, resulting in undue pressure upon-the upper mar'kerhead 45, that thelatter will'be unseated from screw I20 against thecompression of spring 428, thusipreventing damage to the "dies and to the otherpartsof the end marker.

'In operation the-end marker functionsas follows: -It is driven in timed relationship with the ean'bodyfeed -I2,'the can-end feed II and the double .seamer by means-of the .drive shaft I1 and the gear train and other driving means described hereinabove. Previously, .of course, the marker heads #5 and 46 will -be brought into proper, timed relationship with each other and with otherpart's or Ithemachineby-means described her'einabove. As the crankshafts 64 rotate, the die-magazines '90 and therefore the dies "I H willbe constrained to follow van-ovate path because of the crank connection to the crankshafts and also because of the link and lever connections-to the frame brackets II! I. As is .apparent from -Figs.."8 and '9, the Tfixed axes about'which links 9"! pivot are disposed inaplane perpendicular to thepath of travel .of the can ends to be marked, said plane being disposed on the sides of the crankshafts remote from the direction from which the can ends are fedtothe dies, whereby the dies travel-alongovate closed paths'whose-major axes intersect to form-an angle facing in the direction from which ..the can ends arefed to the dies. A-fine adjustment'ofthe path of travel of each die is possible .by reason of the eccentrlcpin 98. 'Thus, by rotating this pin, the "leve'r35 is adju'ste'd as toits rotary position i.ie., :moved toward or away from bracket I0 I, and thus both the lever. and die vholder are rotatably shifted about "theaxis o'f -rotation of the di'erholder. "This-obviously alters thepath of travel "of each die. "This adjustment is made until the pathsof travel of the-upper and lower dies become tangent when the Jdiesare in -vertical alignment as shown 'in'Fig. '9. At the instant of impact andof marking the can end, the dies- III are traveling at the same speed, inlthe same direction 'andintang'entipath's. Thus, no hammer-- ing 'or'pounding effect'is obtained, the path of travel is continuousand veryihigh speed operation is "possible over T long :periods .oftime.

It 'is thus apparent that an-end= marking machine has .been provided which is operable "to mark can ends and the like accurately and dependably and at high speeds". Several improved features are embodied in the machine, such as the adjustable driving connection between the main drive shaft l1 and the countershaft 31 which permits rotation of the latter relatively to the former for timing the end marker with the end feed. Also, provision is made for rotating the entire marking mechanism into inoperative position for purposes of inspection and repair, and for ensuring return to exact operative position, in precise alignment with the end marking station. Further, separate and independent means of rotating one of the crankshafts relatively to the other is provided, so as to ensure accurate timing of the two marker heads. Also, provision is made for adjusting the spacing of the upper and lower marker heads to accommodate can ends of varying thickness, and means is provided for fine and accurate adjustment of the path of travel of each of the die magazines so as to ensure tangent contact of the dies at the instant of marking. Further, certain safety features have been provided as explained hereinabove and a die magazine has been provided which allows a rapid change of dies.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a marking station, a pair of crankshafts disposed one on either side of the marking station, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crank shaft, means supporting a die pendulously on each crank for rotation thereabout, a lever fixedly secured at one end to said die, a link one end of which is pivotally connected to the end of the lever, the other end of said link being pivotally mounted about a fixed axis, the lever and link being so arranged with respect to the orbit of the crank that they cyclically vary the angle formed between the crank and means pendulously supporting the die, whereby the dies are caused to traverse closed ovate paths of travel tangent to one another at said marking station.

2. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a marking station, a pair of crankshafts disposed one on either side of the marking station, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crank shaft, a die holder carrying a plurality of dies supporting said dies pendulously on each crank for printing engagement, means for selecting a die on each holder for cooperating printing engagement, a lever fixedly secured at one end to said die, a link one end of which is pivotally connected to the end of the lever, the other end of said link being pivotally mounted about a fixed axis, the lever and link being so arranged with respect to the orbit of the crank that they cyclically vary the angle formed between the crank and said die holder, whereby the dies are caused to traverse closed paths of travel tangent to one another at said marking station.

3. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a marking station, a pair of crankshafts dlS- posed one on either side of the marking station, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crankshaft, a die rotatable on each crank, means supporting Said die p 6 lously on each crankj for rotation'thereabout, a' lever fixedly secured, at one end to said die, a link one end of which is pivotally connected to the end of the lever, the other end of said link being pivotally mounted about a fixed axis, the lever and link being so arranged with respect to the orbit of the crank that they cyclically vary the angle formed between the crank and the means pendulously supporting the die, whereby the dies are caused to traverse closed ovate paths of travel tangent to one another at said marking station.

4. Apparatus of the class described, comprising means for conveying a series of members to be marked along a fixed path, a pair of'crankshafts disposed one on either side of the fixed path, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crankshaft, a die rotatable on each crank, means supporting said die pendulously on each crank for rotation thereabout, a lever for each die, each lever being fixedly secured at one end to its die, a link for each lever, each link being pivotally connected at one end to the free end of its lever and pivotally mounted at its opposite end for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, the fixed axes about which the links pivot being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the path of travel of the members to be marked and spaced from and disposed on the sides of the crankshafts remote from the direction from which the members to be marked are fed to the dies, whereby the dies travel along ovate closed paths whose major axes intersect to form an acute angle facing in the direction from which the members are fed to the dies.

5. Apparatus of the class described, comprising means for conveying a series of members to be marked along a fixed path, a pair of crankshafts disposed one on either side of the fixed path, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crankshaft, a die rotatable on each crank, means supporting said die pendulously on each crank for rotation thereabout, means for causing the dies to traverse over a path of travel comprising a lever for each die, each lever being fixedly secured at one end to its die, a link for each lever pivotally connected at one end to the free end of said lever, bodily stationary eccentric means pivotally connected to the other ends of the links and operable when rotatably adjusted to shift the axis about which said other ends of said links pivot to vary the paths of travel of the dies, the fixed axes about which the links pivot being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the path of travel of the members to be marked and spaced from and disposed on the sides of the crankshafts remote from the direction from which the members are fed toward the dies,..

whereby the dies travel along ovate closed paths whose major axes intersect to form an acute angle facing in the direction from which the members to be marked are fed toward the dies.

6. Apparatus of the class described, comprising means for conveying a series of members to be marked along a fixed path, a pair of crankshafts disposed one on either side of the fixed path, means for rotating the crankshafts in unison, a crank for each crankshaft, a die holder carrying a plurality of dies supporting said dies pendulously on each crank for printing engagement, means for selecting a die on each holder for cooperating printing engagement, a lever for each die holder, means for releasably securing each lever at one end to its die holder releasable to permit each holder to be rotated relative to its lever to operatively present a different die for zaaewoao ED LAXO.

7 References Cited ithe file ofthis :patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name .Date War-me 'Feb. 3, 1920 Peacock Apr. 12,1921 Brattet all. Aug. 9, 1921 'Kellogg Apr. 4, 1922 Caplinger Nov. 13, 1923 Caplinger Dec. 18, 1928 iSedwick May 26, 1931 Browning May'23, 1937 .Schmlitt 1May21, 1940 Hoffman Feb. 18, .1941 Kronquest Aug. 20,1946 Jacobs Aug. 17,-1948 Nordquis't Apr. 12, 1949 

